Display device with sensor

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect, a display device with a sensor includes: a first substrate; detection electrodes arrayed in a matrix in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction above the first substrate; sensor wires coupled to one of the detection electrodes; pixels each including sub-pixels and arrayed in a matrix in the first and second directions; scanning lines scanning switching elements of the sub-pixels and extending in the first direction; and signal lines coupled to the switching elements and extending in the second direction. One of the sensor wires overlaps one of the signal lines. The sensor wires each have, at a part thereof, a coupling part coupled to the corresponding detection electrode. The pixels include a first pixel with the coupling part and a second pixel without the coupling part. The first and second pixels are alternately disposed in the first and second directions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Japanese Application No.2018-031551, filed on Feb. 26, 2018, the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a display device with a sensor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2015-143933(JP-A-2015-143933) describes a display device with a capacitance sensor.The display device with a capacitance sensor includes a plurality ofdetection electrodes and a plurality of sensor wires. The sensor wiresare coupled to the detection electrodes in one-to-one basis and made ofa metal.

To suppress waveform degradation in drive signals supplied to thedetection electrodes, it has been demanded to reduce wiring resistanceby electrically coupling a plurality of sensor wires to each of thedetection electrodes. The sensor wires coupled to the detectionelectrode, however, are disposed in a display region. If the number ofsensor wires coupled to the detection electrode increases, the sensorwires may possibly be visually recognized.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a display device with asensor that makes sensor wires coupled to detection electrode lessnoticeable.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, a display device with a sensor includes: a firstsubstrate; a plurality of detection electrodes arrayed in a matrix in afirst direction and a second direction intersecting the first directionabove the first substrate; a plurality of sensor wires coupled to one ofthe detection electrodes; a plurality of pixels each including aplurality of sub-pixels and arrayed in a matrix in the first directionand the second direction; a plurality of scanning lines configured toscan switching elements of the sub-pixels and extending in the firstdirection; and a plurality of signal lines coupled to the switchingelements of the sub-pixels and extending in the second direction. One ofthe sensor wires overlaps one of the signal lines. The sensor wires eachhave, at a part thereof, a coupling part coupled to the correspondingdetection electrode. The pixels include a first pixel including thecoupling part and a second pixel not including the coupling part. Thefirst pixel and the second pixel are alternately disposed in the firstdirection. The first pixel and the second pixel are alternately disposedin the second direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toa first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating an array substrate;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a pixel array in a display regionaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining detection electrodes in a schematicplan view of pixels;

FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining pixel electrodes in the schematicplan view of the pixels;

FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining switching elements;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view for explaining the VII-VII′ sectionin FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view for explaining the VIII-VIII′ sectionin FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining widened parts of sensor wires;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view for explaining the X-X′ section inFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view for explaining the XI-XI′ section inFIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view for explaining the XII-XII′ sectionin FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the widened parts of the sensorwires;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining coupling positions between thesensor wires and the detection electrodes;

FIG. 15 is a timing waveform chart of an exemplary operation performedby the display device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a plan view for explaining the switching elements accordingto a second embodiment; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for explaining sub-pixels according tothe second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary aspects (embodiments) to embody the present disclosure aredescribed below in greater detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The contents described in the embodiments are not intended tolimit the present disclosure. Components described below includecomponents easily conceivable by those skilled in the art and componentssubstantially identical therewith. Furthermore, the components describedbelow may be appropriately combined. What is disclosed herein is givenby way of example only, and appropriate modifications made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present disclosure and easilyconceivable by those skilled in the art naturally fall within the scopeof the disclosure. To simplify the explanation, the drawings maypossibly illustrate the width, the thickness, the shape, and otherelements of each unit more schematically than the actual aspect. Theseelements, however, are given by way of example only and are not intendedto limit interpretation of the present disclosure. In the presentdisclosure and the figures, components similar to those previouslydescribed with reference to previous figures are denoted by likereference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof may beappropriately omitted. In this disclosure, when an element A isdescribed as being “on” another element B, the element A can be directlyon the other element B, or there can be one or more elements between theelement A and the other element B.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toa first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a display device PNL witha sensor includes an array substrate SUB1 and a counter substrate SUB2.As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display device PNL with a sensor has aperipheral region BE outside a display region DA. While the displayregion DA has a rectangular shape, the outer shape of the display regionDA is not particularly limited. The display region DA may have a cut-outor have another polygonal shape, for example. The display region DA mayhave another shape, such as a circular or elliptic shape.

A first direction X according to the present embodiment extends alongthe short side of the display region DA. A second direction Y intersects(or is orthogonal to) the first direction X. The first direction X andthe second direction Y are not limited thereto, and the second directionY may intersect the first direction X at an angle other than 90 degrees.The plane defined by the first direction X and the second direction Y isparallel to the surface of the array substrate SUB1. A third direction Zorthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y is thethickness direction of the array substrate SUB1.

The display region DA is a region for displaying images and overlaps aplurality of pixels Pix. The peripheral region BE is inside the outerperiphery of the array substrate SUB1 and outside the display region DA.The peripheral region BE may have a frame shape surrounding the displayregion DA. In this case, the peripheral region BE may also be referredto as a frame region.

The display region DA that displays images includes a sensor regionincluded in a detection device that detects capacitance. As illustratedin FIG. 1, a plurality of detection electrodes CE are arrayed in amatrix (row-column configuration) in the first direction X and thesecond direction Y in the display region DA. The detection electrodes CEeach have a rectangular or square shape schematically in planar view.The shape of the detection electrodes CE will be described later ingreater detail. The detection electrodes CE are made of a translucentconductive material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the peripheral region BE on a first surface ofthe array substrate SUB1 is provided with outer edge wiring CE-G and anintegrated circuit CP. The outer edge wiring CE-G, for example, isprovided continuously along the long sides and a short side of thedisplay region DA and surrounds the display region DA.

The display device PNL with a sensor integrates the sensor region withthe display region DA. Specifically, in the display device PNL with asensor, part of members in the display region DA serves as the detectionelectrodes CE in the sensor region.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating the array substrate. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the detection electrodes CE are arranged in amatrix (row-column configuration) by being divided by splits SPB in inthe first direction X and the second direction Y. A coupling circuit MPand the integrated circuit CP are provided on a short side of theperipheral region BE. A flexible substrate, which is not illustrated, iscoupled to the short side of the peripheral region BE. The positions ofthe coupling circuit MP and the integrated circuit CP are not limitedthereto, and they may be provided on a control substrate outside themodule or the flexible substrate, for example.

The detection electrodes CE are electrically coupled to the integratedcircuit CP via sensor wires TL and the coupling circuit MP. The sensorwires TL are electrically coupled to the respective detection electrodesCE disposed in the display region DA and extend to the peripheral regionBE. The sensor wires TL extend along the second direction Y and aredisposed side by side in the first direction X. A drive circuit builtinto the integrated circuit CP, for example, is coupled to the detectionelectrodes CE via the coupling circuit MP disposed in the peripheralregion BE and the sensor wires TL.

Contact holes TH each have a coupling part CT (refer to FIGS. 10 to 12)at which the detection electrode CE and the sensor wire TL overlappingthe detection electrode CE are electrically coupled to each other. InFIG. 2, one sensor wire TL is schematically coupled to one detectionelectrode CE. In an actual configuration, the sensor wires TL eachbundle a plurality of wires and are routed in the display region DA.

The display device PNL with a sensor includes the coupling circuit MP.The coupling circuit MP is provided between the detection electrodes CEand the integrated circuit CP. The coupling circuit MP switches couplingand decoupling the detection electrodes CE to be a target of detectiondrive to and from the integrated circuit CP in accordance with controlsignals Vsc1 (refer to FIG. 15) supplied from the integrated circuit CP.The coupling circuit MP includes analog front ends.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a pixel array in the display regionaccording to the first embodiment. In the following description, aplurality of scanning lines G1, G2, and G3 may be collectively referredto as scanning lines GL. A plurality of signal lines S1, S2, and S3 maybe collectively referred to as signal lines SL. The array substrate SUB1is provided with a switching element TrD1 of a sub-pixel SPix1, aswitching element TrD2 of a sub-pixel SPix2, and a switching elementTrD3 of a sub-pixel SPix3, the signal lines SL, the scanning lines GL,and other components illustrated in FIG. 3. The signal lines S1, S2, andS3 are wiring that supplies pixel signals Vpix (refer to FIG. 15) topixel electrodes PE1, PE2, and PE3 (refer to FIG. 4), respectively. Thegate lines G1, G2, and G3 are wiring that supplies gate signals fordriving the switching elements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pixels Pix in display region DAillustrated in FIG. 1 each include the sub-pixels SPix1, SPix2, andSPix3 arrayed in a matrix (row-column configuration). In the followingdescription, the sub-pixels SPix1, SPix2, and SPix3 may be collectivelyreferred to as sub-pixels SPix. The sub-pixels SPix1, SPix2, and SPix3include the switching elements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3, respectively, andeach include capacitance of a liquid crystal layer LC. The switchingelements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3 are thin-film transistors and aren-channel metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) TFTs in this example. A sixthinsulating film 16 (refer to FIG. 8) is provided between the pixelelectrodes PE1, PE2, and PE3, which will be described later, and thedetection electrodes CE, thereby generating holding capacitance Csillustrated in FIG. 3.

Color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB illustrated in FIG. 3 are cyclicallyarrayed color regions in respective three colors of red (R), green (G),and blue (B), for example. The color regions in the three colors of R,G, and B serve as a set and correspond to the respective sub-pixelsSPix1, SPix2, and SPix3 illustrated in FIG. 3. A set of the sub-pixelsSPix1, SPix2, and SPix3 corresponding to the respective color regions inthe three colors serves as one pixel Pix. The color filters may includecolor regions in four or more colors.

FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the detection electrodes in aschematic plan view of the pixels. FIG. 5 is a plan view for explainingthe pixel electrodes in the schematic plan view of the pixels. FIG. 6 isa plan view for explaining the switching elements. FIG. 7 is a partialsectional view for explaining the VII-VII′ section in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 isa partial sectional view for explaining the VIII-VIII′ section in FIG.4. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining widened parts of the sensor wires.FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view for explaining the X-X′ section inFIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view for explaining the XI-XI′section in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view for explainingthe XII-XII′ section in FIG. 9. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining thewidened parts of the sensor wires. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explainingcoupling positions between the sensor wires and the detectionelectrodes. The following specifically describes the display deviceaccording to the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the signal lines S1, S2, and S3, the pixelelectrodes PE1, PE2, and PE3, the detection electrodes CE, and aplurality of sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 are provided above a firstinsulating substrate 10. In the following description, the sensor wiresTL1, TL2, and TL3 may be collectively referred to as sensor wires TL. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the scanning lines G1 to G3 extend along thefirst direction X and are disposed side by side at regular pitches inthe second direction Y. The scanning lines G1 to G3, which are notillustrated in FIG. 8, are also provided above the first insulatingsubstrate 10.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, D1 is defined as a direction intersecting the seconddirection Y in a counterclockwise manner at an acute angle, and D2 isdefined as a direction intersecting the second direction Y in aclockwise manner at an acute angle. An angle θ1 between the seconddirection Y and the direction D1 is substantially equal to an angle θ2between the second direction Y and the direction D2. The signal lines S1to S3 extend approximately along the second direction Y and are disposedside by side at regular pitches in the first direction X. In theillustrated example, the signal lines S1 to S3 extend in the directionD1 between the scanning line G1 and the scanning line G2, and extend inthe direction D2 between the scanning line G2 and the scanning line G3.The scanning lines G1 to G3 and the signal lines S1 to S3 intersect eachother in a planar view of the X-Y plane.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the switching element TrD1 is positioned nearthe intersection of the scanning line G2 and the signal line S1 andelectrically coupled to the scanning line G2 and the signal line S1. Theswitching element TrD2 is positioned near the intersection of thescanning line G2 and the signal line S2 and electrically coupled to thescanning line G2 and the signal line S2. The switching element TrD3 ispositioned near the intersection of the scanning line G2 and the signalline S3 and electrically coupled to the scanning line G2 and the signalline S3.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, and PE3 aredisposed side by side in the first direction X with intervals interposedtherebetween. The pixel electrode PE1 is positioned between two signallines. The pixel electrode PE1 has a contact part PA1, electrode partsPB1, and a connecting part PC1. The contact part PA1 is electricallycoupled to the switching element TrD1 (refer to FIG. 6). The electrodepart PB1 extends from the contact part PA1 toward the scanning line G1,which is the opposite side of the scanning line G2. The electrode partPB1 may also be referred to as a strip electrode, a linear electrode, ora comb electrode, for example. In FIG. 5, one pixel electrode PE1includes two electrode parts PB1. The two electrode parts PB1 arecoupled to the contact part PA1. The electrode parts PB1 are disposedside by side in the first direction X with an interval. The connectingpart PC1 is connected to the ends of the two electrode parts PB1. Ifpart of a first electrode part PB1 is broken, this structure can supplya pixel potential to the first electrode part PB1 from a secondelectrode part PB1 via the connecting part PC1.

The shape of the pixel electrode PE1 is not limited to that in theexample illustrated in FIG. 5. The pixel electrode PE1 does notnecessarily have the connecting part PC1, and the number of electrodeparts PB1 may be not two but three or four, for example.

The pixel electrode PE2 has substantially the same shape as that of thepixel electrode PE1. The pixel electrode PE2 is positioned between twosignal lines. The pixel electrode PE2 has a contact part PA2, electrodeparts PB2, and a connecting part PC2. The contact part PA2 iselectrically coupled to the switching element TrD2 (refer to FIG. 6).The electrode parts PB2 extend from the contact part PA2 toward thescanning line G1.

The pixel electrode PE3 has substantially the same shape as that of thepixel electrode PE1. The pixel electrode PE3 is positioned between twosignal lines. The pixel electrode PE3 has a contact part PA3, electrodeparts PB3, and a connecting part PC3. The contact part PA3 iselectrically coupled to the switching element TrD3 (refer to FIG. 6).The electrode parts PB3 extend from the contact part PA3 toward thescanning line G1.

All of the electrode parts PB1, PB2, and PB3 extend in the samedirection parallel to the direction D1. All of the electrode parts PB1,PB2, and PB3 extend from the respective contact parts toward thescanning line G1. While the pixel electrodes positioned between thescanning lines G2 and G3 have the same structure as that of the pixelelectrodes PE1 to PE3, their electrode parts extend along the directionD2.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the detection electrode CE includes a maindetection electrode CEP, a sub-detection electrode CEA, and asub-detection electrode CEB. The main detection electrodes CEP areprovided on substantially the whole display region DA (refer to FIG. 1)of the array substrate SUB1. In other words, the sub-pixels include thepixel electrodes PE1, PE2, and PE3, and the main detection electrodesCEP (detection electrodes CE) are provided in a region overlapping thepixel electrodes PE1, PE2, and PE3. In a planar view of the X-Y plane,the main detection electrodes CEP overlap the pixel electrodes PE1, PE2,and PE3, the signal lines S1, S2, and S3, and the sensor wires TL1 andTL2 but do not overlap the scanning lines G1, G2, and G3.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sub-detection electrode CEA extends in thesecond direction Y and electrically couples the main detectionelectrodes CEP disposed side by side in the second direction Y. In aplanar view of the X-Y plane, the sub-detection electrodes CEA overlapthe scanning lines G1, G2, and G3, the signal line S2, and the sensorwire TL2 but do not overlap the pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, and PE3, thesignal lines S1 and S3, or the sensor wires TL1 and TL3. If nosub-detection electrode CEA is provided between the main detectionelectrodes CEP disposed side by side in the second direction Y, a slitSPB is formed.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sub-detection electrode CEB extends in thefirst direction X and electrically couples the main detection electrodesCEP disposed side by side in the first direction X. As illustrated inFIG. 4, if no sub-detection electrode CEB is provided between the maindetection electrodes CEP disposed side by side in the first direction X,the slit SPB is formed. In a planar view of the X-Y plane, thesub-detection electrode CEB overlaps the signal line S3, the sensor wireTL3, and a widened part TCE3 but does not overlap the pixel electrodesPE1, PE2, and PE3, the scanning line G1, G2, and G3, the signal lines S1and S2, or the sensor wires TL1 and TL2. The sub-detection electrode CEBoverlaps the widened part TCE3 and forms a slit SPA. The sub-detectionelectrode CEB thus can reduce a difference in visibility between theslit SPA and the slit SPB formed between the detection electrodes CEdisposed side by side in the first direction X.

As described above, the detection electrode CE includes the maindetection electrode CEP and the sub-detection electrodes CEA and CEB.The main detection electrode CEP has an island shape. The main detectionelectrodes CEP disposed side by side in the first direction X or thesecond direction Y are electrically coupled to each other by thesub-detection electrode CEA or CEB. As a result, the detection electrodeCE can have a desired area.

In a planar view of the X-Y plane, the sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3overlap the signal lines S1, S2, and S3, respectively, and extend inparallel with these signal lines.

In FIG. 8, the array substrate SUB1 includes the translucent firstinsulating substrate 10, such as a glass substrate and a resinsubstrate, serving as a base. The array substrate SUB1 includes, on oneside of the first insulating substrate 10 facing the counter substrateSUB2, a first insulating film 11, a second insulating film 12, a thirdinsulating film 13, a fourth insulating film 14, a fifth insulating film15, a sixth insulating film 16, the signal lines S1 to S3, the pixelelectrodes PE1 to PE3, the detection electrodes CE, a first orientationfilm AL1, and other components. In the following description, adirection from the array substrate SUB1 to the counter substrate SUB2 isreferred to as an upper side.

The first insulating film 11 is positioned on the first insulatingsubstrate 10. The second insulating film 12 is positioned on the firstinsulating film 11. The third insulating film 13 is positioned on thesecond insulating film 12. The signal lines S1 to S3 are positioned onthe third insulating film 13. The fourth insulating film 14 ispositioned on the third insulating film 13 and covers the signal linesS1 to S3.

The sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 are positioned on the fourthinsulating film 14. The sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 are made of ametal material including any one of Al, Mo, and W and having lowerresistance than that of the detection electrodes CE. The sensor wiresTL1, TL2, and TL3 face the signal lines S1, S2, and S3, respectively,with the fourth insulating film 14 interposed therebetween. In otherwords, the sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 overlap the signal lines S1,S2, and S3, respectively. The sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 are coveredwith the fifth insulating film 15. The first insulating film 11, thesecond insulating film 12, the third insulating film 13, and the sixthinsulating film 16 are made of a translucent inorganic material, such asa silicon oxide or a silicon nitride. The fourth insulating film 14 andthe fifth insulating film 15 are made of a translucent resin materialand have a thickness larger than that of the other insulating films madeof the inorganic material. The fifth insulating film 15, however, may bemade of an inorganic material.

The detection electrodes CE are positioned on the fifth insulating film15. In FIG. 8, the detection electrode CE faces the sensor wires TL1 andTL2 with the fifth insulating film 15 interposed therebetween. In FIG.8, the slit SPA between the detection electrodes CE is positioned rightabove the sensor wire TL3. The detection electrodes CE are covered withthe sixth insulating film 16. The sixth insulating film 16 is made of atranslucent inorganic material, such as a silicon oxide or a siliconnitride.

The pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3 are positioned on the sixth insulatingfilm 16 and face the detection electrode CE with the sixth insulatingfilm 16 interposed therebetween. The pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3 and thedetection electrodes CE are made of a translucent conductive material,such as ITO and indium zinc oxide (IZO). The pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3are covered with the first orientation film AL1. The first orientationfilm AL1 also covers the sixth insulating film 16.

The counter substrate SUB2 includes a translucent second insulatingsubstrate 20, such as a glass substrate and a resin substrate, servingas a base. The counter substrate SUB2 includes, on one side of thesecond insulating substrate 20 facing the array substrate SUB1, alight-shieling layer BM, the color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB, anovercoat layer OC, a second orientation film AL2, and other components.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the light-shielding layer BM is positioned onthe one side of the second insulating substrate 20 facing the arraysubstrate SUB1. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the light-shielding layer BMdefines openings AP facing the respective pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3.The light-shielding layer BM is made of a black resin material or alight-shielding metal material.

The color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB are positioned on the one side ofthe second insulating substrate 20 facing the array substrate SUB1. Endsof the color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB overlap the light-shielding layerBM. The color filter CFR faces the pixel electrode PE1. The color filterCFG faces the pixel electrode PE2. The color filter CFB faces the pixelelectrode PE3. The color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB are made of, forexample, resin materials in red, green, and blue, respectively.

The overcoat layer OC covers the color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB. Theovercoat layer OC is made of a translucent resin material. The secondorientation film AL2 covers the overcoat layer OC. The first orientationfilm AL1 and the second orientation film AL2 are made of a horizontallyoriented material, for example.

As described above, the counter substrate SUB2 includes thelight-shieling layer BM, the color filters CFR, CFG, and CFB, and othercomponents. The light-shielding layer BM is disposed in a region facingthe wiring, such as the scanning lines G1, G2, and G3, the signal linesS1, S2, and S3, the contact parts PA1, PA2, and PA3, and the switchingelements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3 illustrated in FIG. 4.

While the counter substrate SUB2 includes the color filters CFR, CFG,and CFB in three colors in FIG. 8, it may include color filters in fouror more colors different from blue, red, and green, such as white,transparent color, yellow, magenta, and cyan. The color filters CFR,CFG, and CFB may be provided to the array substrate SUB1.

The array substrate SUB1 and the counter substrate SUB2 are respectivelyprovided with the first orientation film AL1 and the second orientationfilm AL2 so that they face each other. The liquid crystal layer LC issealed between the first orientation film AL1 and the second orientationfilm AL2. The liquid crystal layer LC is made of a negative liquidcrystal material having negative dielectric anisotropy or a positiveliquid crystal material having positive dielectric anisotropy.

The array substrate SUB1 faces a backlight unit IL, and the countersubstrate SUB2 is positioned close to the display surface. The backlightunit IL may have various kinds of forms, and detailed explanation of theconfiguration of the backlight unit IL is omitted.

A first optical element OD1 including a first polarizing plate PL1 isdisposed on an outer surface of the first insulating substrate 10 or asurface facing the backlight unit IL. A second optical element OD2including a second polarizing plate PL2 is disposed on an outer surfaceof the second insulating substrate 20 or a surface at a position ofobservation. A first polarization axis of the first polarizing plate PL1and a second polarization axis of the second polarizing plate PL2 are,for example, in a cross-Nicol positional relation on the X-Y plane. Thefirst optical element OD1 and the second optical element OD2 may includeother optical functional elements, such as a phase difference plate.

Assume a case where the liquid crystal layer LC is made of a negativeliquid crystal material. When no voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer LC, liquid crystal molecules LM are initially orientedwith their long axes extending along the first direction X on the X-Yplane. By contrast, when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystallayer LC, that is, in an on-state when an electric field is formedbetween the pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3 and the respective detectionelectrodes CE, the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules LMchanges due to the effects of the electric field. In the on-state, thepolarization state of incident linearly polarized light changesaccording to the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules LMwhen passing through the liquid crystal layer LC.

The following describes the configuration of the switching elementsTrD1, TrD2, and TrD3 illustrated in FIG. 6 in greater detail. While theswitching elements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3 described below are top-gatetype elements, they may be bottom-gate type elements. FIG. 6 illustratesonly major parts required for the explanation of the switching elementsTrD1, TrD2, and TrD3 and does not illustrate the detection electrodesCE, the pixel electrodes PE1 to PE3, the sensor wires TL1 to TL3, orother components.

The switching elements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3 are disposed side by side inthe first direction X. The switching element TrD1 includes alight-shielding body SL1, a semiconductor layer SC1, and a relayelectrode RE1. The switching element TrD2 includes a light-shieldingbody SL2, a semiconductor layer SC2, and a relay electrode RE2. Theswitching element TrD3 includes a light-shielding body SL3, asemiconductor layer SC3, and a relay electrode RE3. The semiconductorlayers SC1 to SC3 each have a substantially U-shape and intersect thescanning line G2 at two positions.

In the switching element TrD1, the semiconductor layer SC1 has an endE11 and an end E12. The end E11 is electrically coupled to the signalline S1 via a contact hole CH11. The end E12 is electrically coupled tothe relay electrode RE1 via a contact hole CH12. The relay electrode RE1is positioned between the signal line for the adjacent pixel and thesignal line S1. The relay electrode RE1 and the ends E11 and E12 arepositioned closer to the scanning line G1 with respect to the scanningline G2.

The two parts of the scanning line G2 intersecting the semiconductorlayer SC1 serve as gate electrodes WG11 and WG12, respectively. Thelight-shielding body SL1 is positioned immediately below the part of thesemiconductor layer SC1 intersecting the gate electrode WG12 in a planarview of the X-Y plane.

In the switching element TrD2, the semiconductor layer SC2 has an endE21 and an end E22. The end E21 is electrically coupled to the signalline S2 via a contact hole CH21. The end E22 is electrically coupled tothe relay electrode RE2 via a contact hole CH22. The relay electrode RE2is positioned between the signal line S1 and the signal line S2. Therelay electrode RE2 and the ends E21 and E22 are positioned closer tothe scanning line G1 with respect to the scanning line G2.

The two parts of the scanning line G2 intersecting the semiconductorlayer SC2 serve as gate electrodes WG21 and WG22, respectively. Thelight-shielding body SL2 is positioned immediately below the part of thesemiconductor layer SC2 intersecting the gate electrode WG22 in a planarview of the X-Y plane.

In the switching element TrD3, the semiconductor layer SC3 has an endE31 and an end E32. The end E31 is electrically coupled to the signalline S3 via a contact hole CH31. The end E32 is electrically coupled tothe relay electrode RE3 via a contact hole CH32. The relay electrode RE3is positioned between the signal line S2 and the signal line S3. Therelay electrode RE3 and the ends E31 and E32 are positioned closer tothe scanning line G1 with respect to the scanning line G2.

The two parts of the scanning line G2 intersecting the semiconductorlayer SC3 serve as gate electrodes WG31 and WG32, respectively. Thelight-shielding body SL3 is positioned immediately below the part of thesemiconductor layer SC3 intersecting the gate electrode WG32 in a planarview of the X-Y plane.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the contact part PA1 of the pixel electrodePE1 faces the relay electrode RE1 and is electrically coupled to therelay electrode RE1 via the contact hole CH12. The contact part PA2 ofthe pixel electrode PE2 faces the relay electrode RE2 and iselectrically coupled to the relay electrode RE2 via the contact holeCH22. The contact part PA3 of the pixel electrode PE3 faces the relayelectrode RE3 and is electrically coupled to the relay electrode RE3 viathe contact hole CH32. FIG. 7 illustrates only the configuration belowthe first orientation film AL1 and above the second insulating film 12illustrated in FIG. 8.

The contact parts PA1, PA2, and PA3 are respectively electricallycoupled to the relay electrodes RE1, RE2, and RE3, with respectiveconductive layers CEE interposed therebetween. The conductive layers CEEare electrically insulated from one another at the outside of thecontact holes CH12, CH22, and CH32 by the fifth insulating film 15 andthe sixth insulating film 16. The conductive layers CEE are formedsimultaneously with the detection electrodes CE and made of the samematerial as that of the detection electrodes CE.

The relay electrodes RE1, RE2, and RE3 are formed simultaneously withthe sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 and made of the same material as thatof the sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3. The relay electrodes RE1, RE2,and RE3 are formed on drain electrodes DE12, DE22, and DE32,respectively, and electrically coupled thereto. The drain electrodesDE12, DE22, and DE32 are coupled to the ends E12, E22, and E32 of theswitching elements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3, respectively, illustrated inFIG. 6. The drain electrodes DE12, DE22, and DE32 are formedsimultaneously with the signal lines S1, S2, and S3 and made of the samematerial as that of the signal lines S1, S2, and S3.

The light-shielding bodies SL1, SL2, and SL3 (refer to FIG. 6) aredisposed at positions not illustrated in FIG. 7 or 8. Thelight-shielding bodies SL1, SL2, and SL3 are positioned between thefirst insulating substrate 10 and the first insulating film 11illustrated in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, thesemiconductor layers SC1, SC2, and SC3 are positioned between the firstinsulating film 11 and the second insulating film 12. While thesemiconductor layers SC1, SC2, and SC3 are made of polycrystallinesilicon, for example, they may be made of amorphous silicon or an oxidesemiconductor, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the relay electrodes RE1 to RE3 are positionedon a straight line extending along the first direction X. Trying tocouple the sub-detection electrode CEA to the sensor wire TL2 in thesection illustrated in FIG. 7 requires another contact hole between thecontact hole CH12 and the contact hole CH22 in the first direction X. Ifanother contact hole is formed between the contact hole CH12 and thecontact hole CH22 in the first direction X, it is necessary to increasethe distance between the contact hole CH12 and the contact hole CH22 tomaintain the thickness of the fifth insulating film 15. As a result, thewidth of the sub-pixel SPix in the first direction X increases. Toaddress this, in the first embodiment, an electrical coupling pointbetween the detection electrode CE and any one of the sensor wires TL1,TL2, and TL3 is disposed at a position not aligning with the contactholes CH12, CH22, and CH32.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the detection electrodes CE and the sensorwires TL1, TL2, and TL3 are electrically coupled at respective widenedparts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3, which are part of the sensor wires TL1, TL2,and TL3. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the widened parts TCE1, TCE2,and TCE3 are disposed at positions not aligning with the contact holesCH12, CH22, and CH32. Accordingly, in the section illustrated in FIG. 7,the sub-detection electrode CEA is electrically insulated from thesensor wire TL2 by the fifth insulating film 15. That is, thesub-detection electrode CEA that couples the main detection electrodesCEP disposed side by side in the second direction Y is disposed at aposition overlapping the sensor wire TL2. This configuration canmaintain the thickness of the fifth insulating film 15 and reduce thewidth of the sub-pixel SPix in the first direction X. As a result, thedisplay device PNL with a sensor according to the first embodiment canhave higher resolution.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the width of main lines ML (refer to FIG. 4)of the sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 in the first direction X is equalto or smaller than that of the light-shielding layer BM. This structuremakes the main lines ML of the sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 lesslikely to be visually recognized.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the width of the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, andTCE3 is larger than that of the main lines ML of the sensor wires TL1,TL2, and TL3 in the first direction X. In FIG. 5, the light-shieldinglayer BM has a plurality of first parts BM1 extending in the firstdirection X and a plurality of second parts BM2 extending in the seconddirection Y. The light-shielding layer BM surrounds the openings AP ofthe sub-pixels SPix in a planar view of the X-Y plane. With thisstructure, at least a part of the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3overlaps the second part BM2, and the other part thereof protrudes fromthe second part BM2, in a planar view of the X-Y plane. In other words,as illustrated in FIG. 5, the width of the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, andTCE3 is larger than that of the second part BM2 of the light-shieldinglayer BM in the first direction X.

In the display device PNL with a sensor according to the firstembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9 or 13, a pixel having the widenedparts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 serves as a pixel Pix (first pixel) includingthe coupling part CT (refer to FIGS. 10 to 12). By contrast, in thedisplay device PNL with a sensor according to the first embodiment, apixel not having the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 serves as apixel Pix (second pixel) not including the coupling part CT. The pixelPix (first pixel) including the coupling part CT (refer to FIGS. 10 to12) and the pixel Pix (second pixel) not including the coupling part CTare alternately disposed in the first direction X. The pixel Pixincluding the coupling part CT and the pixel Pix not including thecoupling part CT are alternately disposed in the second direction Y. Asdescribed above, a non-coupling region PTN not having the widened partsTCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 is arranged in every other pixel Pix, therebyreducing the amount of shielded light due to the effects of the widenedparts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in a first pattern CB1, first coupling regionsPT1, second coupling regions PT2, third coupling regions PT3, and thenon-coupling regions PTN are disposed in 6×6 pixels Pix. In the firstcoupling regions PT1, the second coupling regions PT2, and the thirdcoupling regions PT3, the pixel Pix has the widened parts TCE1, TCE2,and TCE3 in the respective sub-pixels SPix. In the first coupling regionPT1, the widened part TCE1 is electrically coupled to the detectionelectrode CE via the contact hole TH. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the widened part TCE1 is coupled to the detection electrode CEas the coupling part CT. In the first coupling region PT1, the widenedparts TCE2 and TCE3 are not coupled to the detection electrode CE. Inthe second coupling region PT2, the widened part TCE2 is electricallycoupled to the detection electrode CE via the contact hole TH.Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the widened part TCE2 is coupledto the detection electrode CE as the coupling part CT. In the secondcoupling region PT2, the widened parts TCE1 and TCE3 are not coupled tothe detection electrode CE. In the third coupling region PT3, thewidened part TCE3 is electrically coupled to the detection electrode CEvia the contact hole TH. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 12, thewidened part TCE3 is coupled to the detection electrode CE as thecoupling part CT. In the third coupling region PT3, the widened partsTCE1 and TCE2 are not coupled to the detection electrode CE.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the pixel Pix (first pixel) having the widenedparts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 includes the sub-pixels Spix1, Spix2, andSpix3. Similarly, the pixel Pix (second pixel) not having the widenedparts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 includes the sub-pixels Spix1, Spix2, andSpix3. Three pixels Pix (first pixels) each having the widened partsTCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 are disposed side by side in the second direction Ywith the pixel Pix (second pixel) not having the widened parts TCE1,TCE2, and TCE3 interposed between adjacent pixels Pix of the threepixels Pix. In one of the three pixels Pix (first pixels) having thewidened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3, the widened part TCE1 of thesub-pixel SPix1 is coupled to the detection electrode CE via the contacthole TH in the first coupling region PT1. Similarly, in one of the threepixels Pix (first pixels) having the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3,the widened part TCE2 of the sub-pixel SPix2 is coupled to the detectionelectrode CE via the contact hole TH in the second coupling region PT2.Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the widened part TCE2 is coupledto the detection electrode CE as the coupling part CT. In one of thethree pixels Pix (first pixels) having the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, andTCE3, the widened part TCE3 of the sub-pixel SPix3 is coupled to thedetection electrode CE via the contact hole TH in the third couplingregion PT3.

Three pixels Pix (first pixels) each having the widened parts TCE1,TCE2, and TCE3 are disposed side by side in the first direction X withthe pixel Pix (second pixel) not having the widened parts TCE1, TCE2,and TCE3 interposed between adjacent pixels Pix of the three pixels Pix.In one of the three pixels Pix (first pixels) having the widened partsTCE1, TCE2, and TCE3, the widened part TCE1 of the sub-pixel SPix1 iscoupled to the detection electrode CE via the contact hole TH in thefirst coupling region PT1. Similarly, in one of the three pixels Pix(first pixels) having the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3, thewidened part TCE2 of the sub-pixel SPix2 is coupled to the detectionelectrode CE via the contact hole TH in the second coupling region PT2.In one of the three pixels Pix (first pixels) having the widened partsTCE1, TCE2, and TCE3, the widened part TCE3 of the sub-pixel SPix3 iscoupled to the detection electrode CE via the contact hole TH in thethird coupling region PT3.

With this configuration, the positions of the contact holes TH areevenly dispersed, thereby making distortion of the first orientationfilm AL1 due to the effects of the contact holes TH less noticeable. Asa result, the display quality is less likely to deteriorate.

In each of the first coupling regions PT1, the second coupling regionsPT2, and the third coupling regions PT3, the sub-pixels SPix1, SPix2,and SPix3 have the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3, respectively.With this configuration, the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 affectthe sub-pixels SPix1, SPix2, and SPix3, respectively, thereby reducingfluctuations in light shielding.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the widened part TCE1 and the detectionelectrode CE are electrically coupled to each other via the contact holeTH. At the coupling part CT, the widened part TCE1 is directly incontact with the detection electrode CE. Alternatively, at the couplingpart CT, another conductive layer may be interposed between the widenedpart TCE1 and the detection electrode CE. The widened part TCE2 and thedetection electrode CE are not electrically coupled to each other in theX-X′ section in FIG. 9. The widened part TCE3 and the detectionelectrode CE are not electrically coupled to each other in the X-X′section in FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the widened part TCE2 and the detectionelectrode CE are electrically coupled to each other in the contact holeTH. At the coupling part CT, the widened part TCE2 is directly incontact with the detection electrode CE. Alternatively, at the couplingpart CT, another conductive layer may be interposed between the widenedpart TCE2 and the detection electrode CE. The widened part TCE1 and thedetection electrode CE are not electrically coupled to each other in theXI-XI′ section in FIG. 9. The widened part TCE3 and the detectionelectrode CE are not electrically coupled to each other in the XI-XI′section in FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the widened part TCE3 and the detectionelectrode CE are electrically coupled to each other in the contact holeTH. At the coupling part CT, the widened part TCE3 is directly incontact with the detection electrode CE. Alternatively, at the couplingpart CT, another conductive layer may be interposed between the widenedpart TCE3 and the detection electrode CE. The widened part TCE1 and thedetection electrode CE are not electrically coupled to each other in theXII-XII′ section in FIG. 9. The widened part TCE2 and the detectionelectrode CE are not electrically coupled to each other in the XII-XII′section in FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in each of the first coupling region PT1, thesecond coupling region PT2, and the third coupling region PT3, one ofthe widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 is coupled to the detectionelectrode CE, and the other two of them are not coupled to the detectionelectrode CE. In the first pattern CB1, one first coupling region PT1,one second coupling region PT2, and one third coupling region PT3 aredisposed in the first direction X in the 6×6 pixels Pix. One firstcoupling region PT1, one second coupling region PT2, and one thirdcoupling region PT3 are disposed in the second direction Y in the 6×6pixels Pix.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, in a second pattern CB2, the second couplingregions PT2 and the non-coupling regions PTN are disposed in the 6×6pixels Pix. In the second coupling region PT2, the widened part TCE2 iselectrically coupled to the detection electrode CE via the contact holeTH.

The first pattern CB1 illustrated in FIG. 9 and the second pattern CB2illustrated in FIG. 13 have the same number of widened parts TCE1, TCE2,and TCE3 in the 6×6 pixels Pix. This configuration makes the firstpattern CB1 illustrated in FIG. 9 and the second pattern CB2 illustratedin FIG. 13 less likely to be distinguished from each other.

The display device PNL with a sensor according to the first embodimenthas the first pattern CB1 illustrated in FIG. 9 and the second patternCB2 illustrated in FIG. 13 in a mixed manner. For conceptual explanationof the detection electrodes CE illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 14representatively illustrates the detection electrodes CE in one columnand four rows in the second direction Y. The following describes fourdetection electrodes CE1, CE2, CE3, and CE4 with reference to FIG. 14.In an actual configuration, the detection electrodes CE are arrayed in amatrix (row-column configuration) as illustrated in FIG. 2 using thetechnical idea described below. While FIG. 14 illustrates the sensorwires TL1, TL2, and TL3 as straight lines extending along the seconddirection Y, they actually extend in a zigzag shape along the directionsD1 and D2 as described above.

In the second direction Y, the detection electrodes CE1, CE2, CE3, andCE4 are sequentially disposed so that the detection electrode CE1 is thefarthest from the coupling circuit MP. In the detection electrode CE1,the first patterns CB1 are arrayed in four columns and two rows. Thesensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 are electrically coupled to the detectionelectrode CE1 via the contact holes TH. In the first patterns CB1 in thefirst column from the left, the sensor wires TL1 and TL3 coupled to thecoupling circuit MP are electrically coupled to the detection electrodeCE1 via the contact holes TH. In the first patterns CB1 from the secondcolumn to the fourth column from the left, the sensor wires TL1 and TL3are electrically decoupled by a slit SP1 between the detection electrodeCE1 and the detection electrode CE2.

In the detection electrode CE2, the second patterns CB2 are arrayed inone column and two rows from the left, and the first patterns CB1 arearrayed in three columns and two rows from the second column from theleft. The sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 are electrically coupled to thedetection electrode CE2 via the contact holes TH. In the first patternsCB1 in the second column from the left, the sensor wires TL1 and TL3coupled to the coupling circuit MP are electrically coupled to thedetection electrode CE2 via the contact holes TH. The sensor wires TL2are electrically decoupled by a slit SP2 between the detection electrodeCE2 and the detection electrode CE3. In the first patterns CB1 in thethird and the fourth columns from the left, the sensor wires TL1 and TL3are electrically decoupled by the slit SP2 between the detectionelectrode CE2 and the detection electrode CE3.

In the detection electrode CE3, the second patterns CB2 are arrayed intwo columns and two rows from the left, and the first patterns CB1 arearrayed in two columns and two rows from the third column from the left.The sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 are electrically coupled to thedetection electrode CE3 via the contact holes TH. In the first patternsCB1 in the third column from the left, the sensor wires TL1 and TL3coupled to the coupling circuit MP are electrically coupled to thedetection electrode CE3 via the contact holes TH. The sensor wires TL2are electrically decoupled by a slit SP3 between the detection electrodeCE3 and the detection electrode CE4. In the first patterns CB1 in thefourth column from the left, the sensor wires TL1 and TL3 areelectrically decoupled by the slit SP3 between the detection electrodeCE3 and the detection electrode CE4.

In the detection electrode CE4, the second patterns CB2 are arrayed inthree columns and two rows from the left, and the first patterns CB1 arearrayed in one column and two rows from the fourth column from the left.The sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 are electrically coupled to thedetection electrode CE4 via the contact holes TH. In the first patternsCB1 in the fourth column from the left, the sensor wires TL1 and TL3coupled to the coupling circuit MP are electrically coupled to thedetection electrode CE4 via the contact holes TH. The sensor wires TL2are not coupled to supply wiring from the coupling circuit MP and areelectrically decoupled from the wiring from the coupling circuit MP.

In the second patterns CB2 in the first column from the left, the sensorwires TL1 and TL3 coupled to the coupling circuit MP overlap thedetection electrodes CE4, CE3, and CE2 but are not electrically coupledthereto. In the second patterns CB2 in the first column from the left,the sensor wires TL1 and TL3 coupled to the coupling circuit MP extendacross the slits SP3, SP2, and SP1.

In the second patterns CB2 in the second column from the left, thesensor wires TL1 and TL3 coupled to the coupling circuit MP overlap thedetection electrodes CE4 and CE3 but are not electrically coupledthereto. In the second patterns CB2 in the second column from the left,the sensor wires TL1 and TL3 coupled to the coupling circuit MP extendacross the slits SP3 and SP2.

In the second patterns CB2 in the third column from the left, the sensorwires TL1 and TL3 coupled to the coupling circuit MP overlap thedetection electrode CE4 but are not electrically coupled thereto. In thesecond patterns CB2 in the third column from the left, the sensor wiresTL1 and TL3 coupled to the coupling circuit MP extend across the slitSP3.

As described above, the sensor wires TL2 are electrically decoupled byany one of the slits SP1, SP2, and SP3 between the detection electrodesdisposed side by side. This structure reduces parasitic capacitancegenerated between the detection electrodes CE and the sensor wires TL2and improves accuracy in detecting capacitance.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, in the second pattern CB2, the pixel Pix(first pixel) having the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 includes thesub-pixels Spix1, Spix2, and Spix3. Similarly, the pixel Pix (secondpixel) not having the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 includes thesub-pixels Spix1, Spix2, and Spix3. Three pixels Pix (first pixels) eachhaving the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 are disposed side by sidein the second direction Y with the pixel Pix (second pixels) not havingthe widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 interposed between adjacentpixels Pix of the three pixels Pix. In the three pixels Pix (firstpixels) each having the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3, the widenedpart TCE2 of the sub-pixel SPix2 is coupled to the detection electrodeCE via the contact hole TH.

In the second pattern CB2, three pixels Pix (first pixels) each havingthe coupling part CT are disposed side by side in the first direction Xwith the pixel Pix (second pixel) not having the coupling part CTinterposed between adjacent pixels Pix of the three pixels Pix. In thepixel Pix (first pixel) having the coupling part CT, the widened partTCE2 of the sub-pixel SPix2 is coupled to the detection electrode CE asthe coupling part CT (refer to FIG. 11).

With this configuration, the sensor wires TL1 each having the widenedpart TCE1 in the sub-pixel SPix1 can extend across the detectionelectrodes CE4, CE3, and CE2, for example. Similarly, the sensor wiresTL3 each having the widened part TCE3 in the sub-pixel SPix3 can extendacross the detection electrodes CE4, CE3, and CE2, for example. Thesensor wires TL2 are electrically decoupled by any one of the slits SP1,SP2, and SP3. This structure reduces parasitic capacitance generatedbetween the detection electrodes CE and the sensor wires TL2 andimproves accuracy in detecting capacitance.

In comparison between the detection electrodes CE1 and CE2 disposed sideby side, the number of couplings via the contact holes TH is equal perunit area of 6×6 pixels Pix. In comparison between the detectionelectrodes CE2 and CE3 disposed side by side, the number of couplingsvia the contact holes TH is equal per unit area of 6×6 pixels Pix. Incomparison between the detection electrodes CE3 and CE4 disposed side byside, the number of couplings via the contact holes TH is equal per unitarea of 6×6 pixels Pix. This configuration makes the contact holes THless noticeable. Consequently, the display device PNL with a sensor canprovide higher display quality.

FIG. 15 is a timing waveform chart of an exemplary operation performedby the display device according to the first embodiment. The exemplaryoperation illustrated in FIG. 15 is given by way of example only and maybe appropriately modified.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, a display period Pd and a detection period Ptare alternately performed in a time-division manner. The display devicePNL with a sensor may perform touch detection on one detection surfacein one detection period Pt or a plurality of detection periods Pt in adivided manner. The display device PNL with a sensor may display animage of one frame in one display period Pd or alternately perform thedisplay period Pd and the detection period Pt multiple times in a periodfor displaying an image of one frame.

A source driver supplies the pixel signals Vpix to the sub-pixels SPix1,SPix2, and SPix3 corresponding to the scanning lines G1, G2, and G3 viathe signal lines S1, S2, and S3. The sub-pixels SPix1, SPix2, and SPix3perform display in units of one horizontal line in accordance with thesupplied pixel signals Vpix. As illustrated in FIG. 15, display drivesignals Vcom are supplied to the detection electrodes CE1, CE2, CE3, andCE4 in the display period Pd. The coupling circuit MP supplies thedisplay drive signals Vcom to all the detection electrodes CE (refer toFIG. 2). Accordingly, the detection electrodes CE serve as commonelectrodes that supply a common potential.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, in the detection period Pt, the integratedcircuit CP and the coupling circuit MP operate in accordance with acontrol signal Vsc1 supplied from a control line SSE, which is notillustrated, and supply detection drive signals Vself to the detectionelectrodes CE. In the detection period Pt, the outer edge wiring CE-Gillustrated in FIG. 1 may be supplied with guard signals Vgd having thesame waveform as that of the detection drive signals Vself andsynchronized with the drive signals Vself. Alternatively, the outer edgewiring CE-G may be brought into a state of not being electricallycoupled to any component (high impedance).

Detection signals Vdet corresponding to capacitance changes in thedetection electrodes CE are supplied to a detection circuit of theintegrated circuit CP via the analog front ends of the coupling circuitMP. The display device PNL with a sensor thus can detect a target objectin a contact state or a proximity state in units of a plurality ofdetection electrodes CE. Because the specific detection method isdescribed in JP-A-2015-143933, explanation of the detection method isomitted herein by mentioning JP-A-2015-143933 in the present embodiment.

As described above, the display device PNL with a sensor includes thedetection electrodes CE, the sensor wires TL, the pixels Pix, thescanning lines GL, and the signal lines SL on the first insulatingsubstrate 10. The detection electrodes CE are arrayed in a matrix(row-column configuration) in the first direction X and the seconddirection Y intersecting the first direction X. A plurality of sensorwires TL are coupled to one detection electrode CE. The pixels Pix eachinclude the sub-pixels SPix1, SPix2, and SPix3. The scanning lines GLscan the switching elements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3 and extend in the firstdirection X. The signal lines SL are coupled to the respective switchingelements TrD1, TrD2, and TrD3 and extend in the second direction Y. Inthe third direction Z, one sensor wire TL is disposed above and overlapsone signal line SL. With this configuration, the sensor wires TL alsooverlap the light-shielding layer BM overlapping the signal lines SL andare made less noticeable.

As described above, a plurality of sensor wires TL are electricallycoupled to one detection electrode CE. This configuration can reducewiring resistance, thereby suppressing waveform degradation in the drivesignals supplied to the detection electrodes CE. Consequently, thedisplay device PNL with a sensor can detect the capacitance with higheraccuracy.

Because the sensor wire TL overlaps the signal line SL, the width of thesensor wire TL in the first direction X is larger than that of thesignal line SL. This structure facilitates alignment at the time of filmformation, and can reduce resistance of the sensor wires TL. The widthof the main line ML of the sensor wire TL in the first direction X ispreferably equal to or smaller than that of the light-shielding layer BMoverlapping the sensor wire TL. This structure makes the sensor wires TLless likely to be visually recognized.

The sensor wire TL has, at a part thereof, any one of the widened partsTCE1 to TCE3 having the width in the first direction X larger than thatof the main line. With the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 having asufficiently large width, a contact area between any one of the widenedparts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 and the detection electrode CE can be securedby forming the contact hole TH even if the thickness of the fifthinsulating film 15 increases. As described above, the fifth insulatingfilm 15 has the contact holes TH, each of which has the coupling part CTat which the detection electrode CE and any one of the widened partsTCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 are coupled to each other. This configuration cansecure the distance between the sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 and thedetection electrode CE in the third direction Z, thereby reducingparasitic capacitance generated between the detection electrode CE andthe sensor wires TL1, TL2, and TL3 passing over the detection electrodeCE. With the widened part TCE1 having a sufficiently large width, thefifth insulating film 15 can be made of a resin material, which is hardto be formed as a thin film.

The detection electrode CE is disposed on the upper side than the sensorwires TL with the fifth insulating film 15 interposed therebetween inthe third direction Z. The fifth insulating film 15 has the contactholes TH, via which the detection electrode CE and any one of thewidened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 are coupled to each other. Thewidened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 are disposed above and overlap thesignal lines SL. With this configuration, distortion of the firstorientation film AL1 due to the effects of the contact holes TH is lesslikely to affect the pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, and PE3. As a result,the display quality is less likely to deteriorate.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a plurality of contact holes TH are formedbetween one detection electrode CE1 and one sensor wire TL1, forexample. This configuration can reduce coupling resistance, therebysuppressing waveform degradation in the drive signals supplied to thedetection electrodes CE. Consequently, the display device PNL with asensor can detect the capacitance with higher accuracy.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 aredisposed between two scanning lines G1 and G2 disposed side by side. Ina planar view of the X-Y plane, none of the widened parts TCE1, TCE2,and TCE3 overlaps the first part BM1. With this configuration, thepositions of the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 are made differentfrom those of the contact parts PA1, PA2, and PA3 of the pixelelectrodes PE1, PE2, and PE3, respectively, illustrated in FIG. 5. Theconfiguration can increase accuracy in forming the contact holes TH asillustrated in FIG. 14, thereby increasing reliability in electricalcoupling between the detection electrodes CE and the sensor wires TL.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3are disposed above and overlap any one of the contact holes CH11, CH21,and CH31 illustrated in FIG. 6. With this configuration, the widenedparts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 can reduce the effects of the contact holesCH11, CH21, and CH31 on the first orientation film AL1.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 16 is a plan view for explaining the switching elements accordingto a second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for explainingthe sub-pixels according to the second embodiment. Components describedin the first embodiment are denoted by like reference numerals, andexplanation thereof is omitted. The second embodiment is different fromthe first embodiment in the configuration of a sub-pixel SPix13.

In the switching element TrD3 according to the second embodiment, thesemiconductor layer SC3 has the end E31 and the end E32. The end E31 iselectrically coupled to the signal line S3 via the contact hole CH31.The end E32 is electrically coupled to the relay electrode RE3 via thecontact hole CH32. The relay electrode RE3 is positioned between thesignal line S2 and the signal line S3. The relay electrode RE3 and theends E31 and E32 are positioned closer to the scanning line G3 withrespect to the scanning line G2.

The two parts of the scanning line G2 intersecting the semiconductorlayer SC3 serve as the respective gate electrodes WG31 and WG32. Thelight-shielding body SL3 is positioned immediately below the part of thesemiconductor layer SC3 intersecting the gate electrode WG32. The relayelectrode RE3 is shifted to the opposite side of the scanning line G2with respect to the position where the relay electrodes RE1 and RE2 aredisposed side by side. While the relay electrodes RE1 to RE3 partiallyoverlap the scanning line G2, the entirety of the relay electrodes RE1to RE3 may be separated from the positions overlapping the scanning lineG2.

The contact holes CH12 and CH22 are formed side by side on a straightline extending along the first direction X. By contrast, the contacthole CH32 is positioned in an oblique direction intersecting the firstdirection X with respect to the contact holes CH12 and CH22. In otherwords, the contact hole CH32 is formed at a position deviated from thestraight line on which the contact holes CH12 and CH22 are formed sideby side. The widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3 are disposed above andoverlap any one of the contact holes CH11, CH21, and CH31 illustrated inFIG. 16. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the contact holes THcan be formed more precisely, thereby increasing reliability ofelectrically coupling between the detection electrodes CE and the sensorwires TL.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the sub-pixels SPix1 are arrayed along thesecond direction Y in the first column. The sub-pixels SPix2 are arrayedalong the second direction Y in the second column next to the firstcolumn. The sub-pixel SPix3 and the sub-pixel SPix13 are alternatelyarrayed along the second direction Y in the third column next to thesecond column. The first column, the second column, and the third columnare cyclically arrayed in the first direction X. The sub-pixels SPix1are provided with the color filter of red (R). The sub-pixels SPix2 areprovided with the color filter of green (G). The sub-pixels SPix3 areprovided with the color filter of white or transparent (W). Thesub-pixels SPix13 are provided with the color filter of blue (B).

The configuration can reduce a current value of the backlight unit IL bythe increased luminance by the sub-pixel SPix 13, thereby reducing powerconsumption. Further, the configuration can secure the area of blue (B)having lower visibility.

While exemplary embodiments have been described, the embodiments are notintended to limit the present disclosure. The contents disclosed in theembodiments are given by way of example only, and various modificationsmay be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.Appropriate modifications made without departing from the spirit of thepresent disclosure naturally fall within the technical scope of thedisclosure.

Each of the widened parts TCE1, TCE2, and TCE3, for example, may bereferred to as any one of a relay electrode, a coupling part, a widepart, an expanded part, a widened part, and a base part, or simplyreferred to as a first part of the sensor wire TL, for example. Thecoupling part CT may be referred to as a contact part.

While the plane defined by the first direction X and the seconddirection Y is parallel to the surface of the array substrate SUB1, thesurface of the array substrate SUB1 may be curved. In this case, viewedin a direction in which the display device PNL with a sensor has thelargest area, a certain direction is a first direction, and a directionintersecting the first direction is a second direction. The direction inwhich the display device PNL with a sensor has the largest area may bedefined as a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and thesecond direction.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A display device comprising: a first insulatingfilm having a first surface and a second surface opposed to the firstsurface: a plurality of detection electrodes arrayed in a matrix on thefirst surface; and a first metal wire on the second surface, wherein afirst detection electrode is one of the plurality of detectionelectrodes, the first metal wire includes: a first widened part, asecond widened part, and a first main line between the first widenedpart and the second widened part, the first detection electrode overlapsthe first main line and the first widened part, a width of the firstwidened part is larger than a width of the first main line, a width ofthe second widened part is larger than the width of the first main line,the first detection electrode is in contact with the first widened partvia a first contact hole formed in the first insulating film, and thesecond widened part is entirely overlapped by the first insulating film.17. The display device of claim 16, further comprising scanning lines,wherein the scanning lines each extend in a first direction and arearrayed in a second direction crossing the first direction, the scanninglines include: a first scanning line, a second scanning line adjacent tothe first scanning line in the second direction, a third scanning lineadjacent to the second scanning line in the second direction, and afourth scanning line adjacent to the third scanning line in the seconddirection; the first metal wire crosses the first scanning line, thesecond scanning line, the third scanning line, and the fourth scanninglines, respectively at a first crossing, a second crossing, a thirdcrossing, and a fourth crossing of the first metal wire, the firstwidened part is between the first crossing and the second crossing ofthe first metal wire, the second widened part is between the thirdcrossing and fourth crossing of the first metal wire, and the first mainline crosses the second scanning line and third scanning line,respectively at the second crossing and the third crossing of the firstmetal wire.
 18. The display device of claim 17, wherein the first metalwire includes a plurality of widened parts, the first widened part isone of the plurality of widened parts, the second widened part isanother one of the plurality of widened parts, and the first metal wiredoes not have any of the plurality of widened parts between the secondcrossing and the third crossing of the first metal wire.
 19. The displaydevice of claim 17, wherein the first metal wire includes a plurality ofwidened parts, the first widened part is one of the plurality of widenedparts, the second widened part is another one of the plurality ofwidened parts, and the first metal wire includes a non-coupling regionnot having the widened parts, between the second crossing and the thirdcrossing of the first metal wire.
 20. The display device of claim 17,further comprising a second metal wire adjacent to the first metal wirein the first direction, on the second surface of the first insulatingfilm, wherein a second detection electrode is one of the plurality ofdetection electrodes, the second metal wire includes: a third widenedpart, a fourth widened part, and a second main line between the thirdwidened part and the fourth widened part, the second detection electrodeoverlaps the second main line, the second widened part, and the fourthwidened part, a width of the third widened part is larger than a widthof the second main line, a width of the fourth widened part is largerthan the width of the second main line, the second detection electrodeis in contact with the fourth widened part via a second contact holeformed in the first insulating film, and the third widened part isentirely overlapped by the first insulating film.
 21. The display deviceof claim 20, wherein the second metal wire crosses the first scanningline, the second scanning line, and the third scanning line, and thefourth scanning line, respectively at a first crossing, a secondcrossing, a third crossing, and a fourth crossing of the second metalwire, the third widened part is between the first crossing and thesecond crossing of the second metal wire, the fourth widened part isbetween the third crossing and fourth crossing of the second metal wire,and the second main line crosses the second crossing and the thirdcrossing of the second metal wire.
 22. The display device of claim 21,wherein the second metal wire includes a plurality of widened parts, thethird widened part is one of the plurality of widened parts of thesecond metal wire, the fourth widened part is another one of theplurality of widened parts of the second metal wire, and the secondmetal wire does not have any of the plurality of widened parts betweenthe second crossing and the third crossing of the second metal wire. 23.The display device of claim 16, wherein the first insulating film ismade of a translucent resin material.
 24. The display device of claim16, wherein the first insulating film is made of an inorganic material.25. The display device of claim 16, further comprising: a plurality ofpixel electrodes in a display region; and a light-shielding layerincluding openings facing the respective pixel electrodes, wherein thelight-shielding layer includes: a plurality of first shielding partseach extending in a first direction, and a plurality of second shieldingparts each extending in a second direction crossing the first direction;one of the second shielding parts extends in parallel to the first metalline and overlaps the first metal line, a width of the one of the secondshielding parts is larger than the width of the first main line, in thefirst direction, the width of the first widened part is larger than thewidth of the one of the second shielding part, in the first direction,and the width of the second widened part is larger than the width of theone of the second shielding part, in the first direction.
 26. Thedisplay device of claim 17, wherein the first metal wire includes aplurality of widened parts including the first widened part and thesecond widened part, and the first metal wire has none of the widenedparts between the second crossing and the third crossing of the firstmetal wire.
 27. The display device of claim 17, wherein the first metalwire includes a plurality of widened parts including the first widenedpart and the second widened part, and the first metal wire includes anon-coupling region in which none of the widened parts is disposed,between the second crossing and the third crossing of the first metalwire.